Current Events
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ITTS Current Events

Since ITTS will be located in New Orleans, the Louisiana Department of Transportation has agreed to assume administration for the final phase and will coordinate this with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). 

Responses to the recent advertisement for an Executive Director of ITTS are being reviewed and will be published once a final candidate is chosen.  The advertisement was published on goMDOT’s website http://goMDOT.com/ITTS-LATTS/  Also, the advertisement was published in the ITE journal, and the ASCE publications.
 

ITTS Current Events

On July 17, 2006, members of the ITTS Working Committee participated in a teleconference hosted by Dr. Kam Movassaghi.

Participants:

  • Members Participating

  1. Ray Balentine, (MS DOT) Working Committee Chair

  2. Eric Kalivoda, (LA DOTD)

  3. Joe Palladi, (GA DOT)

  4. Alpesh Patel, (NC DOT) Not Present

  • Others

  1. Dr. Kam Movassaghi, ITTS Architect

  2. Nelson Sellers, MS DOT

  3. Jeff Pierce, MS DOT

  4. Tim Kassa, GA DOT

 Items:

  • Greetings and Overview:

The meeting convened at the scheduled hour.  Dr. Movassaghi welcomed the participants. It went without saying that Katrina’s devastation affected several agencies, many of the participants and most importantly the progress of ITTS. However, the members present were ready to roll. 

  • ITTS Legal Firm – Mr. Alan Moore, Jackson, MS & Ms. Jennifer Chick, Baton Rouge, LA

Alan Moore and a group of his colleagues have left the law firm of McGlinchey and Stafford and have joined the law firm of Baker Donaldson (former senator Baker of TN) headquartered in D.C. It was the committee’s consent that Mr. Moore to continue as ITTS council. Mr. Moore has a strong background in this area and, therefore, it was agreed that it would be easier to work with him.

Dr. Movassaghi will contact Mr. Moore to set up a schedule for completing the remaining legal work. It was understood that for the time being all legal work is to be handled pro bono until a permanent director and annual budget is established.

  • EXCOM Membership:

ITTS bylaws require a 5-member Executive Committee.  Dr. Movassaghi will work with Mr. Moore to arrange for the appointments of the remaining ITTS board members via a letter of appointment. In the past, it has been difficult to gather all prospective board members in one place. The prospective ITTS board members are the CEOs of their respective state transportation agencies and their term of office with ITTS will be the same as at their respective state agencies.

According to the Bylaws, the Executive Committee (EXCOM) must consist of 5 members. Currently, EXCOM consists of four members (LA, NC, MS and GA). An additional member needs to be elected at the next meeting (possibly at 2006 SASHTO in Atlanta).

  • Appointment of ITTS Advisory Council (ADCON) Members

The ADCON will consist of at least one member from each member state plus others from the industry and other national transportation enterprises and agencies. It should meet twice a year and make recommendations regarding work plan and direction for ITTS.

Dr. Movassaghi asked that participants on the teleconference act as the nucleus of the ADCON and identify others as candidates for appointment to this body.

It was the consensus of the participants that the board members appoint ADCON members from the respective state agencies. This request can be included with the board member appointment and acceptance letter.

Others on ADCON will be from FHWA, AASHTO, ITS America, TRB and other groups

  • Upcoming SASHTO Meeting

Dr. Movassaghi stated that he will be unable to attend the upcoming SASHTO

meeting. As several of the topics above needed to be discussed at the SASHTO Board level, Mr. Palladi agreed to check with the Commissioner/Chairman of SASHTO regarding board’s agenda and will get back to the group with the information.

  • Advertisement for a New Director (Attached)

The advertisement is to be published in ITE journal, ASCE Newspaper or Magazine.

Announcements are to be sent to AASHTO, member transportation agencies and member transportation research centers.

Applications are to be collected sorted and evaluated by Dr. Movassaghi. The committee is to prepare a short list for the final selection of the director.

Mr. Jeff Pierce of MDOT is to amend Dr. Movassaghi’s contract to cover direct expense associated with the advertisement.

The advertisement is also to appear on ITTS website.

  • ITTS Website

The new ITTS website address is www.gomdot.com/itts-latts/. MDOT is currently supporting this website.  Mr. Sellers of MDOT will send the website address to all appropriate individuals at all member states.

  • ITTS Funding and Budget Issues

Dr. Kalivoda asked that the group discuss ITTS funding and budget issues:

Mr. Balentine reported that approximately $485,000.00 is currently available. This figure does not include participation or contribution of all member states. Mr. Sellers of MDOT reported that about 4 states have not contributed; commitments have been made but funds have not been transferred.  Also, Joe Tool of FHWA contributed $5,000.

Mr. Balentine reported that as of date, $485,000 has been accumulated via member states and more will be collected from other members of ITTS.  Mr. Balentine will make personal contacts to get some resolution on the four delinquent states.

It was estimated that the costs for salary and benefits for the director, cost of opening and furnishing an office, the operating cost and salary and benefit for an assistant for a minimum of 3 years would be around $1.3 million. The question was raised if there was a commitment from SASHTO/ITTS Board for the funding? If all contributions including FHWA are made, the available funds will cover only one -half of the needed amounts. It seems that another $50,000 per state contributing will be required to cover the 3 -year cost.

Dr. Movassaghi is to proceed with advertisement without incurring more expenses (not paying for anyone to travel for interview).

Dr. Movassaghi is to check with the WTC in New Orleans about the cost of an office and the possibility of sharing an assistant that works for WTC.

A bank account in the name of ITTS needs to be established. Who would have the responsibility for that account?

Mr. Palladi is to explore the possibility of getting a spot on SASHTO Board agenda to discuss the above issues. 

ITTS Recent Events

On February 24, 2006, members of the ITTS Executive Committee (EXCOM) participated in a teleconference hosted by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).

Participants:

  • Members of the Executive Committee (EXCOM)

  1. President  - Johnny Bradberry, Louisiana DOTD

  2. Vice President - Lyndo Tippett  (Represented by Mr. Alpesh Patel), North Carolina DOT

  3. Secretary/Treasurer -  Butch Brown, Mississippi DOT

  4. Member - Harold Linnenkohl, Georgia DOT

  • Others

  1. Kam Movassaghi

  2. Ray Balentine of Mississippi DOT

  3. Nelson Sellers of Mississippi DOT

  4. Dr. Eric Kalivoda of Louisiana DOTD

 Items:

  • Greetings and Overview:

The meeting convened at the scheduled hour.  Kam Movassaghi greeted the participants and called their attention to the overview and history as provided in the agenda. 

  • Official Transfer of ITTS:

Dr. Movassaghi summarized discussions regarding ITTS bylaws at two previous meetings of SASHTO Board of Directors (members of the alliance states) in Puerto Rico on August 2005 and in Nashville on September 2005. The bylaws where adopted at the Nashville meeting by those present. See Attachment 1 for the list of participants at the Nashville meeting. 

With regard to the formation of ITTS Board of Directors (BOD), there was a unanimous consent that Messrs. Johnny Bradberry, Lyndo Tippett, Butch Brown, and Harold Linnenkohl serve with Dr. Movassaghi as the initial BOD. Other members from the alliance states will be appointed in the future and once the BOD is fully established, Dr. Movassaghi will leave the board. 

  • EXCOM Membership:

ITTS bylaws require a 5-member Executive Committee.  It was decided that as new members join the BOD, an additional member will be elected to the ExCom in the future. 

  • Location of the Institute:

It has been decided that ITTS be domiciled in New Orleans.  There was no additional discussion of this issue. 

  • Establishment of a Bank Account:

There was no discussion of this item; however, as ITTS activities are currently being supported by a pool-fund provided by member states and FHWA (public funds); it is prudent that financial activities of ITTS continue to be managed by MDOT’s financial staff. Once the institute is fully organized and operational a bank account can be established with guidance from EXCOM.  

  • Advertisement for a New Director:

A draft copy of advertisement for the director was distributed.  It was suggested that the advertisement be distributed to members of the alliance states, AASHTO and FHWA.  It was also suggested that it be placed in the ITE journal and Journal of Commerce  The following where appointed as member of a committee for screening the applicants: Dr. Eric Kalivoda of LDOTD, Ray Balentine of MDOT, Alpesh Patel of NCDOT, Joe Palladi of GDOT and Kam Movassaghi as chair.  It was further decided that the advertisement be distributed and placed once legal requirements for the formation of BOD are completed. 

  • Available Revenues:

Mr. Balentine reported that as of date, $485,000 has been accumulated via member states and more will be collected from other members of ITTS.

  • Negotiation with FHWA:

Dr. Movassaghi reminded the group of the FHWA’s interest in closely cooperating with the institute and providing financial support for its programs and projects.  It was proposed that representatives from FHWA participate in all future meeting of the BOD.  

  • Cooperation of Member States:

In the aftermath of Katrina and Rita it has become abundantly clear that coastal states must establish effective channels of cooperation in joint response to disaster.  Plans for evacuation, delivery of assistance and evaluation of the effects of a disaster on segments of the infrastructure are only some of the very critical issues that require assessment and evaluation on a regional basis.  ITTS is uniquely positioned to undertake such efforts on behalf of coastal and inland states facing such treats. 

In pursuit of further discussions regarding such collaborative efforts, Mr. Brown suggested a small gathering of the affected member states in Natchez, MS in the near future. The outcome of such an assembly will be an immediate work program for ITTS.  Such a work program can be supported by the financial resources of the participating member states and will serve as a spring board to launch ITTS. Mr. Ray Balentine was assigned the responsibility to follow up and organize the event. 

  • Development of a website:

Mr. Balentine reported that MDOT has undertaken development of a website for ITTS.  Mr. Nelson Sellers of MDOT is overseeing this effort.  The site will become operational in the near future.